Education
Tech-U: One Year of Innovative Education
THE words of John C. Maxwell, that “effective leaders look for ways to use the successes of today to empower their people for the challenges of tomorrow” couldn’t have been truer in the case of The Technical University, Ibadan.
Before the Bill establishing Nigeria’s first Technical University was passed and assented to by the Visitor to the University, Governor Abiola Ajimobi on July 12, 2012, he already had a clear vision of what the university would look like and the purpose it would serve.
Between then and June 6, 2017 when the Library project was commissioned, signaling the take-off of the university, a lot of diligence, commitment and careful planning had gone into the execution. The result was the inch-perfect structure that was commissioned, the beginning of the interpretation of the vision.
There, His Excellency the Governor made it clear that Tech-U is not a university of technology but a Technical University. “It is an initiative of Oyo State, continuing in the tradition of innovation and excellence pioneered by our pathfinders. It is a marriage between classroom and industry, a marriage between theory and practice”, he said.
Summing it up, Governor Ajimobi said “it is not a university of Technology but the first Technical University in Nigeria”.
Everything was put in place to ensure that the University has a world-class academic environment. Apart from the state-of-the-art facilities, a lot of effort went into guaranteeing that the University took off with highly skilled, goal getting personnel. Round pegs were put in round holes.
The kick-off of academic activities on January 8, 2018 was in style. For 2 weeks, Tech-U pioneer students were orientated into the Tech-U ideal and what is expected of them as students of the nation’s first Technical University as well as why the state, the country and the international community expect so much from them. The University also took another week to orientate the students on entrepreneurship which is in line with the University’s objective of equipping every student with managerial skills consistent with international best practices.
With the matriculation of 183 pioneer students on March 9, 2018, The Technical University, Ibadan surpassed the take-off expectation in many quarters and it has only proved to be the beginning of the journey into the institution’s glorious future.
The installation of Chief Tunde Afolabi, a great player in the oil and gas sector, foremost entrepreneur and accomplished international businessman as the Pioneer Chancellor of the University has been likened by many to fitting the right piece in a jigsaw puzzle.
With his wealth of experience in different sectors of human endeavor, Tech-U’s journey to greater heights is expected to be safe and speedy.
And since the take-off of academic activities, the pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ayobami Salami and his team have not reduced the velocity with which the institution took off.
Not only have they kept the fire aglow, they have been able to sustain the vision of advancing technologically and providing training that is relevant to the needs of Nigeria. While most Nigerian universities lay emphasis on the theoretical aspect of learning, learning at The Technical University is creatively technical with great emphasis on the practical aspect.
Through the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Vocational Studies, students are taught to make business out of the vocational training they get thereby positioning them for job creation by the time they graduate. The enrolment of all Tech-U students for French Language at the Centre for Language and General Studies is to make sure that they are well prepared for the international market.
The Vice-Chancellor has pointed out that “we are training youths whose trainings will contribute richly to the socioeconomic advancement of Nigeria and other climes. The graduates we will produce will have the confidence of their trainings; will be innovators, job creators, employers and ultimately builders of society”.
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He thus confirmed that the University is being run to boost Nigeria’s human capacity growth and make positive impacts on its socio-economic development.
The University’s programmes have been carefully chosen to fill the gap in the technical know-how and bridge the skill deficiency gap between graduates and the industry. And to guarantee that Tech-U graduates are better trained and finely equipped for the challenges ahead, the University signed a Memorandum of Understanding with industry partners, the Nigerian Society of Engineers inclusive.
This is to foster a deeper and stronger relationship between the gown and the town. The relationship will also provide abundant possibilities of hands-on experience for students.
The recent curriculum review, which had in attendance representatives from the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Automation and Engineering Academy, among others, points to the fact that The Technical University is working with the highest standard of efficiency to achieve the goal of solving the issues that border on deficiencies in the employability and entrepreneurial skills of Nigerian graduates.
Representatives of the University met with industry stakeholders and other partners to review the curriculum. With input from the industry in the curriculum, students will be trained towards the needs in the industry and by the time they graduate, those who plan to seek employment will have no problem fitting in into the industry.
Those who will start their businesses on the other hand would have been adequately trained and fine-tuned for real-time issues in the outside world. In the last one year, Tech-U has shown that it is indeed a place where brains are developed and hands are trained.
Wole Adejumo,
Media Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor of The Technical University writes from Ibadan
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced the commencement of its Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CBWASSCE) for private candidates, starting from October 25, 2024.
The examination is set to run until December 20, 2024, according to a statement released by the council on Tuesday.
In a bid to modernise the examination process, WAEC disclosed that the CBWASSCE will be conducted in a hybrid format.
Adesina Fadekemi, the council’s spokesperson, explained that the objective or multiple-choice questions would be displayed onscreen, requiring candidates to submit their responses electronically.
However, for essay and practical questions, while the questions will also be presented digitally, candidates will still provide answers using traditional answer booklets.
Additionally, WAEC has provided an option for candidates who prefer to use the conventional Paper and Pen mode for all exam papers, catering to those not comfortable with the digital format.
The council also extended the registration deadline for the upcoming CBWASSCE to Tuesday, October 29, 2024.
Candidates who miss the registration window can still take advantage of the “Walk-in-Candidate” option, allowing them to register 24 hours before their preferred paper is scheduled.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Dr. Yunus Akintunde, has reaffirmed his commitment to aiding the Federal Polytechnic Ayede in realising its full potential.
Senator Akintunde made this pledge during a courtesy visit to the institution’s temporary site in Iresa-Pupa, Ogbomoso, on Wednesday.
Speaking during the visit, the lawmaker highlighted his passion for contributing to humanity, especially through the advancement of education and skills development.
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“I am part of the polytechnic system. I started at The Polytechnic, Ibadan before going to Lagos State University, Ojoo, Lagos. I’m a lover of knowledge and I am always striving to contribute my quota in the area of education and skills development, among others, and in the legislative assignments as my primary responsibility,” he stated.
The APC chieftain further emphasised his dedication to supporting the Polytechnic and its community, stating that leaders should be driven by a commitment to serving humanity.
He cited the legacy of Hon. Olu Afolabi, a Second Republic House of Representatives member, who was instrumental in establishing the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo.
“Afolabi’s legacy remains evergreen today,” Akintunde remarked, emphasising the importance of creating lasting impacts through public service.
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As part of his developmental projects for the Oyo Central Senatorial District, Akintunde disclosed that he had procured 120 solar-powered boreholes to be installed across the 118 wards of the 11 local governments in his senatorial district, along with 10,000 solar street lights.
He assured the Federal Polytechnic Ayede that some of these solar street lights would be installed within the institution to enhance security and visibility on campus.
Earlier, the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Ayede, Dr. Taofeek Abdul-Hameed, who was represented by the acting Rector and Deputy Rector (Academics), Mr. Azeez Ojo, expressed gratitude to the senator.
The Rector noted that Senator Akintunde had demonstrated a deep commitment to philanthropic causes even before assuming office as a senator.
“You see, it’s a great privilege receiving Distinguished Senator Yunus Akintunde and his entourage on our campus today. Out of your magnanimity, Sir, you have decided to receive us,” Ojo said, acknowledging the senator’s gesture.
“Our Rector is away to Abuja for the progress and development of our Polytechnic. So, on behalf of the Chairman of our Governing Council, Barrister Ademubowale Mercy Adelabu; Rector; other Principal Officers; Deans; Directors; staff, and students, I welcome you and your entourage to Federal Polytechnic Ayede.
“While on Brave FM, you have, before even telling us, announced the gesture of solar lights donated to us. This we appreciate with the whole of our hearts,” he said.
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The Rector assured the lawmaker that his support would be instrumental in the continued growth and development of the fast-expanding institution.
The visit concluded with the Polytechnic community expressing hope for further collaboration with the senator in the areas of educational and infrastructural development.
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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Bauchi Zone, has raised serious concerns over the mass exit of 30 PhD holders from Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU), formerly known as Bauchi State University, citing deteriorating working conditions and inadequate welfare provisions as primary reasons for the exodus.
The worrying development was brought to light during a press conference held by ASUU on Friday, where officials of the union detailed the various challenges faced by academic staff at the institution.
Speaking on behalf of the union, Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Bauchi Zone, Namo Timothy, lamented the lack of proper policies to retain top scholars, pointing out the absence of a formal employee exit policy.
“Many of our best scholars have been forced to seek better opportunities elsewhere,” Timothy said, adding that “SAZU has no pension or death benefit scheme in place, as obtained in the structured public service regulation in the country.”
He further explained that the lack of such provisions leaves academic staff insecure about their future. “Without a pension or death benefit scheme, our members feel unsafe and unsure of their long-term prospects,” Timothy remarked.
In addition to these grievances, the union condemned the university’s administration for its failure to pay over 650 million naira in accumulated entitlements, including earned academic allowances and honorariums for internal examiners. This has further deepened the discontent among staff members.
“Despite the university generating significant revenue from postgraduate programs, our members have not been compensated for their contributions,” Timothy disclosed.
The union also raised concerns over the sharp increase in student fees, coupled with the administration’s neglect of staff training and development.
Timothy criticised the university for imposing over a 100 percent hike in fees for regular undergraduate programmes, yet failing to address staff welfare.
“The university claims it lacks funds to pay our members, yet it continues to impose higher charges on students,” he stated.
ASUU also expressed displeasure with the continued tenure of the current Pro-Chancellor, who has remained in office since the university’s inception.
The union called for adherence to established regulations governing appointments, arguing that the prolonged tenure has stifled accountability and hindered the implementation of progressive policies.
In light of these critical issues, ASUU urged the Bauchi State Government and other stakeholders to take immediate action to address staff welfare, calling for the establishment of a comprehensive exit policy and the payment of overdue allowances.
“Unless these issues are resolved, we cannot guarantee industrial harmony within SAZU,” Timothy warned.
He further called on the state government to declare a state of emergency at the university to ensure that all contentious matters are urgently addressed, securing the future of both academic staff and the institution.
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